Explosive charge device and assembly

ABSTRACT

A device for assisting in the apprehension of persons responsible for bank robberies and the like, the device having the external appearance of a bundle of currency notes and being provided with an internal compartment housing an explosive charge and electrical circuit means operating with a time delay for automatically firing the charge. A magnetic switch controls the energization of the electrical circuit and has a set of contacts normally maintained in an off position by a magnet in a holder for the device and when the device is handed over upon demand during a robbery, the magnetic switch moves away from the magnet and closes the electrical circuit.

United States Patent Kmg [ Nov. 28, 1972 [54] EXPLOSIVE CHARGE DEVICE AND ASSEIVIBLY [72] Inventor: George King, 458 Bexley Road, Bexley, New South Wales, Australia [22] Filed: Aug. 11, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 62,842

Primary Examiner-Benjamin A. Borchelt Assistant Examiner-C. T. Jordan Attorney-Robert E. Burns and Emmanuel J. Lobato [57] ABSTRACT A device for assisting in the apprehension of persons responsible for bank robberies and the like, the device having the external appearance of a bundle of currency notes and being provided with an internal compartment housing an explosive charge and electrical circuit means operating with a time delay for automatically firing the charge. A magnetic switch controls the energization of the electrical circuit and has a set of contacts normally maintained in an ofi position by a magnet in a holder for the device and when the device is handed over upon demand during a robbery, the magnetic switch moves away from the magnet and closes the electrical circuit.

9 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED I97? 3, 703, 780

sum 1 0F 3 l7 5 \USTRALIA 5 mfl FIVE DOLLARS we N06 31 Q FIG I PATENTEMM 912 3,703. 780

SHEET 3 BF 3 EXPLOSIVE CHARGE DEVICE AND ASSEMBLY DESCRIPTION The invention relates to devices useful for assisting in the apprehension of the perpetrators of bank and like robberies, and more particularly to a device automatically functioning to fire an explosive charge for alarming and/or marking purposes.

In the present day prevalence of bank and agency robberies, a great deal of reliance is placed by the perpetrator upon the voluntary or enforced docility of the employed staff. Frequently, staff members are unwilling to make any suspicious movement which might arouse the perpetrator. Consequently, even conveniently located alarms are not operated. However, invariably during a robbery a teller or other staff member is instructed by the thief to pass over currency notes or to place them into a bag supplied for the purpose.

It is the main object of the invention to provide a means of automatically actuating an alarm and/or of facilitating detection of the perpetrator some time subsequent to an actual robbery without requiring any unsolicited movement of a staff member.

According to one feature of the invention there is provided an explosive device assembly to assist in the apprehension of an unauthorized bearer of same, comprising a housing externally simulating a package of currency notes and contained within the housing an explosive charge, electrical firing means for firing the explosive charge, an electrical circuit including time delay means for actuating the firing means, a magnetic switch normally closed to complete said electrical actuating circuit with a power source; and a safe-handling carrier for holding the housing in a readily removable condition, and a magnet mounted on the carrier and positioned to hold the contacts of the magnetic switch in an off-normal condition while the housing is located upon the carrier.

It is to be understood that where throughout this specification a package of currency notes is referred to, this may be in the form of a bundle, a roll, a stack, a wad, a pile or any other grouping of currency notes.

A preferred form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an explosive device assembly shown having a simulated, or imitation, currency package displaced from its composite carrier, or holder;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the package assembled into its composite holder and secured to a base;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the undersides of the holder, base and the currency package and showing the lowermost note of the package removed to reveal the interior electrical circuit components;

FIG. 4 is a schematic circuit diagram of the component electrical parts secreted within the imitation currency package; and,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a container having a hinged lid in which the imitation currency package and its holder can be safely transported.

With reference to the drawings, an imitation currency package 6 comprises a housing consisting of a stack of paper sheets 7, each of which has a rectangular aperture 8. The aperture 8 houses warning means comprising two containers 9 and 10 of explosives and Chemicals, such as dye or gas irritant or the like, electronic timing control components 11, dry cells 12 and 13 and a magnetic switch 14. The whole package 6 is glued or otherwise secured together and the sides 15 and faces 16 of the paper sheets 7 are printed in the same pattern and color as a genuine currency note as for example, a five dollar bill.

A genuine five dollar bill 17 is placed over the top and bottom face of the package and held in place by a conventional note wrapping band 18 as used by the note issue department of a bank. The package 6 is thus externally indistinguishable from a genuine package of five dollar bills. It is intended that the package 6 be stored in the currency drawer of a bank tellers cage along with other genuine packages of currency. To facilitate this, a composite holder 19 is provided to retain the device in an inactive condition. It is intended that upon removal of the package 6 from its holder it automatically becomes active. The holder 19 is composed of two parts 20 and 21, as best seen in FIG. 3.

The lower part 20 comprises a flat rectangular base 22 with an integral raised platform 23. Holes 24 are provided in the base 22 and screws 25 can be passed through the holes 24 to lock the holder component 20 onto the bottom of a currency drawer 26 or other suitable container.

The upper component 21 comprises a flat rectangular base 27 with a peripheral upstanding flange 28. An elongated tongue 29 is formed integral with and extends downwardly from the underside of the base 27. A slot 30 is cut through the raised platform 23 of component 20 and is dimensioned to tightly receive the tongue 29 when the components 20 and 21 are pressed one on top of the other as in FIG. 1.

Permanent magnets 31 are recessed one into each end of the base 27 of the upper holder component 21. The magnets 31 are so positioned that one of them will lie closely adjacent, i.e., beneath, the magnetic switch 14 when the dummy currency package 6 is placed into the upper holder component 20. It will be seen that the package 6 could be transposed end for end and the magnetic switch 14 would still lie closely adjacent a magnet 31. The contacts of the switch 14 will be held in the open, or inactive, position as long as the package 6 is within the holder 20. It will be unlikely that the package will be inserted upside down as the markings normally carried on the binder 18 will clearly indicate the correct position.

It will be seen that the sides of the flange 28 are cut away at 32 and the base 27 is provided with arcuate side portions 33 between the cut-outs 32. This enables the package 6 to be lifted freely from the holder com ponent 20 in the event of a bank robbery attempt. The dummy package can thus be readily passed over together with other genuine currency packages to the robber. Once the package 6 is removed from the influence of the magnets 31 in the holder compartment 20, the magnetic switch 14 will operate.

Referring to FIG. 4, the closing of contacts of switch 14 will cause the capacitor C1 to be charged through the time constant resistor R1 from battery source 12. When the capacitor C1 reaches a predetermined firing voltage, after a delay of say approximately three minutes, the charge stored on the capacitor C1 will be sufficient to switch on the Unijunction transistor UJT and discharge therethrough. During this discharging period, the transistor UJT remains conductive thereby causing a voltage drop across the resistors-R2, R3 and R4 in its output circuit. A triggering potential is thus provided across resistor R3 and through a further resistor R5 for a silicon thyristor ST. The thyristor. ST remains conductive after the triggering function, so

that a reed-relay 34 is closed. The relay 34 activates a firing circuit 35 which is energized by the dry cell 13. The explosives in containers 9 and 10 are detonated by the firing circuit 35 thereby providing a warning signal and the dye and/or gas in containers 9 and 10 is scattered over the thief and the genuine currency in, his possession. Preferably, the edges of the package 6 are fractured by the explosion and the dye issues therefrom. Additionally, although harmless to his person, a very loud noise may be emitted by the explosion to draw attention to the escape and further aid apprehension or detection.

Care must, of course, be taken that the package 6 is not inadvertently removed from the holder component 20. For storage or transport the holder 21 and package 6 can be removed from the drawer by grasping the holder 21 and dislodgi'ng the tongue 29 from its slot 30 in the lower holder component 20. A box 36'With a hinged lid 37 is provided for safe storage and transport of the upper holder component 21 and package 6 as is illustrated in FIG. 5. It will be seen that inadvertent removal of the package 6 from its holder 21 is nonhazardous providing that it is restored before the timing circuit of resistor R1 and capacitor C1 has functioned to switch on the transistor UJT. Upon return of the package 6 to the holder 21 the charge on capacitor C1 will leak away to completely inactivate the circuitry.

The invention has been described with reference to one preferred embodiment but it is to be understood that this is shown and described for illustrative purposes only and no limitation is intended except as specified in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. An explosive device assembly to assist in the apprehension of an unauthorized bearer of same, comprising: a housing externally simulating a package of currency notes, and means contained within the housing for providing a warning signal comprising an explosive charge, and an electrical circuit comprising time delay means, electrical firing means for firing the explosive charge thereby providing a warning signal, means for actuating the firing means, and a magnetic switch normally closed to complete said electrical actuating circuit with a power source; and a safe-handling carrier for holding the housing in a readily removably condition, and a magnet mounted on the carrier and positioned to magnetically hold the contacts of the magnetic switch in an off-normal condition while the housing is located upon the carrier.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, including a capsule containing a marking dye which is dispersed by bursting of the capsule upon detonation of the explosive charge.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, including a capsule containing a form of gas irritant which is dispersed by bursting of the capsule upon detonation of the explosive charge.

4. An explosive device assembly to assist in the apprehension of an unauthorized bearer of same, comprising: a housing externally simulating a package of currency notes, and means contained within the housing for providing a warning signal comprising an explosive charge, and an electrical circuit comprising time delay means, electrical firing means for firing the explosive charge thereby providing a warning signal, means for actuating the firing means, and a magnetic switch normally closed to complete said electrical actuating circuit with a power source; and a safe-handling carrier for holding the housing in a readily removable condition, a magnet mounted on the carrier and positioned to magnetically hold the contacts of the magnetic switch in an ofi normal condition while the housing is located upon the carrier, a mounting base for fixture to a support, and means for detachably securing the carrier to the base. A

5. An explosive device assembly to assist in the apprehension of an unauthorized bearer of same, comprising: a housing externally simulating a package of currency notes, and means contained within the housing for providing a warning signal comprising an explosive charge, and an electrical circuit comprising time de'aly means, electrical firing means for firingthe explosive charge thereby providing a warning signal, means for actuating .the firing means, and a magnetic switch normally closed to complete said electrical actuating circuit with a power source; and a safe-handling carrier for holding the housing in a readily removable condition, a magnet mounted on the carrier and positioned to magnetically hold the contacts of the magnetic switch in an off-normal condition while the housing is located upon the carrier, and a box-like container having means for seating the assembled carrier and housing within the container, and a lid to close said container and hold the carrier and housing'together for transporting and storage purposes.

6. A device for aiding the apprehension of bank robbers and the like comprising: a dummy packet simulating on the exterior a package of currency notes and including in the interior thereof actuatable warning means for providing a warning signal when actuated; a holder assembly connectable during use of the device to a support surface and having means for removably holding therein in a working position said dummy packet; and actuating means coacting with both said warning means and holder assembly for magnetically preventing actuation of said actuatable warning means whenever said dummy packet is in said working position and effecting actuation of said warming means in response to removal of said dummy packet from said holder assembly.

7. A device according to claim 6; wherein said actuatable warning means comprises a warning device operative when energized to provide said warning signal, and a normally open electric circuit operative when closed to energize said warning device; and wherein said actuating means comprises a magnetically-operated switch connected in said electric circuit and having a movable contact magnetically movable to an open position when said dummy packet is in said working position to accordingly maintain said electric circuit in an electrically open condition and movable to a closed position in response to removal of said dummy assembly comprises an upper part configured to removably contain therein said dummy packet and having at least one permanent magnet attached thereto positioned relative to said actuating means to magnetically prevent actuation thereof whenever said dummy packet is in said working position, and a lower part having means for connecting same to a support surface during use of the device and having means for releasably connecting same to said upper part. 

1. An explosive device assembly to assist in the apprehension of an unauthorized bearer of same, comprising: a housing externally simulating a package of currency notes, and means contained within the housing for providing a warning signal comprising an explosive charge, and an electrical circuit comprising time delay means, electrical firing means for firing the explosive charge thereby providing a warning signal, means for actuating the firing means, and a magnetic switch normally closed to complete said electrical actuating circuit with a power source; and a safe-handling carrier for holding the housing in a readily removably condition, and a magnet mounted on the carrier and positioned to magnetically hold the contacts of the magnetic switch in an off-normal condition while the housing is located upon the carrier.
 2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, including a capsule containing a marking dye which is dispersed by bursting of the capsule upon detonation of the explosive charge.
 3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, including a capsule containing a form of gas irritant which is dispersed by bursting of the capsule upon detonation of the explosive charge.
 4. An explosive device assembly to assist in the apprehension of an unauthorized bearer of same, comprising: a housing externally simulating a package of currency notes, and means contained within the housing for providing a warning signal comprising an explosive charge, and an electrical circuit comprising time delay means, electrical firing means for firing the explosive charge thereby providing a warning signal, means for actuating the firing means, and a magnetic switch normally closed to complete said electrical actuating circuit with a power source; and a safe-handling carrier for holding the housing in a readily removable condition, a magnet mounted on the carrier and positioned to magnetically hold the contacts of the magnetic switch in an off-normal condition while the housing is located upon the carrier, a mounting base for fixture to a support, and means for detachably securing the carrier to the base.
 5. An explosive Device assembly to assist in the apprehension of an unauthorized bearer of same, comprising: a housing externally simulating a package of currency notes, and means contained within the housing for providing a warning signal comprising an explosive charge, and an electrical circuit comprising time dealy means, electrical firing means for firing the explosive charge thereby providing a warning signal, means for actuating the firing means, and a magnetic switch normally closed to complete said electrical actuating circuit with a power source; and a safe-handling carrier for holding the housing in a readily removable condition, a magnet mounted on the carrier and positioned to magnetically hold the contacts of the magnetic switch in an off-normal condition while the housing is located upon the carrier, and a box-like container having means for seating the assembled carrier and housing within the container, and a lid to close said container and hold the carrier and housing together for transporting and storage purposes.
 6. A device for aiding the apprehension of bank robbers and the like comprising: a dummy packet simulating on the exterior a package of currency notes and including in the interior thereof actuatable warning means for providing a warning signal when actuated; a holder assembly connectable during use of the device to a support surface and having means for removably holding therein in a working position said dummy packet; and actuating means coacting with both said warning means and holder assembly for magnetically preventing actuation of said actuatable warning means whenever said dummy packet is in said working position and effecting actuation of said warming means in response to removal of said dummy packet from said holder assembly.
 7. A device according to claim 6; wherein said actuatable warning means comprises a warning device operative when energized to provide said warning signal, and a normally open electric circuit operative when closed to energize said warning device; and wherein said actuating means comprises a magnetically-operated switch connected in said electric circuit and having a movable contact magnetically movable to an open position when said dummy packet is in said working position to accordingly maintain said electric circuit in an electrically open condition and movable to a closed position in response to removal of said dummy packet from said holder assembly to accordingly close said normally open electric circuit.
 8. A device according to claim 7; wherein said actuating means further includes at least one permanent magnet attached to said holder assembly and positioned relative to said movable contact when said dummy packet is in said working position to magnetically maintain said movable contact in said open position.
 9. A device according to claim 6, wherein said holder assembly comprises an upper part configured to removably contain therein said dummy packet and having at least one permanent magnet attached thereto positioned relative to said actuating means to magnetically prevent actuation thereof whenever said dummy packet is in said working position, and a lower part having means for connecting same to a support surface during use of the device and having means for releasably connecting same to said upper part. 